Forest Service lifts nighttime restrictions on aerial firefighting

LOS ANGELES - The U.S. Forest Service announced today it will allow aerial firefighting efforts after dark, a policy reversal that drew immediate praise from Southern California officials who criticized the nighttime flight restrictions after the 2009 Station Fire in the Angeles National Forest.

"We have made this important decision very carefully," Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell said. "We have studied night operations from every angle -- risk management, business and operations -- and we have concluded we can conduct night operations safely and effectively."

Critics had blasted the Forest Service for its response to the Station Fire, saying its restriction on nighttime aerial firefighting efforts contributed to the spread of the blaze in its early stages.

The Station Fire broke out Aug. 26, 2009, and went on to burn about 250 square miles of the Angeles National Forest -- the largest fire in Los Angeles County history. The fire destroyed 89 residences, 26 commercial properties and 94 outbuildings. Two firefighters died during the blaze.

"This is long overdue, but a welcome policy change by the Forest Service," Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said. "With California's hot, dry conditions, wildfires are increasingly dangerous and difficult to contain. Attacking fires from the air at night can bolster firefighting efforts because temperatures are cooler, humidity is higher and Santa Ana winds die down.

"This new policy will allow the Forest Service to use aviation assets around the clock to save lives and property in California," she said.

Forest Service officials said the agency will contract a firefighting helicopter capable of night flights beginning next year for the Southern California area. The helicopter will be based in Southern California and be used primarily for blazes in the Angeles, Cleveland and San Bernardino national forests, along with the southern portion of the Los Padres National Forest.

The helicopter will initially be equipped to drop water or fire- retardant, but it could eventually be improved to provide medical transport, assist with prescribed burns or provide aerial supervision of air traffic over a fire, according to the USFS.

"Each year wildfires threaten our homes, businesses, families and livelihoods," Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, said. "It is gravely important that we learn from past fires to make the changes necessary to help our firefighters in the future. We appreciate the efforts to address changes to policy that are needed to save lives."